Walker admitted to Florida

Cody Jones

12/14/2013

Five-star freshman forward Chris Walker crossed an important hurdle on Saturday when he was admitted to the University of Florida for the spring semester. Walker will start practicing with the Gators on Saturday.

It was an important step to getting Chris Walker on the court in a Florida uniform. He will be eligible to practice with the team since he was admitted to the university, but Walker still has to be cleared by the NCAA Clearinghouse. There is no timetable for when that could happen.

Walker, who will wear No. 23 at Florida, is the first scholarship player to join the team at the midway point of the year under Billy Donovan.

As part of the report, Florida announced the Walker is "not yet eligible to compete." There are rumors that Walker could be facing a short suspension because of an unofficial visit he took that was paid for by his summer league coach.

Billy Donovan has already ruled Walker out for Tuesday's matchup with Memphis, and there is no timetable for when he will play his first game. However, the first hurdle was crossed on Saturday when he enrolled and was cleared to practice with the Gators.